swordtip squid

The swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) is a species of loliginid squid from the genus Uroteuthis. It was first described by William Evans Hoyle in 1885. In the past, it resided among the genus Loligo until it was reclassified under the genus Uroteuthis. They have previously been under the subgenus Photololigo, but this is no longer taxonomically accepted. This is because they possess photophores under their ink sacs, which divided them from other genus of squid.This species is a very important source of revenue for many fishermen, especially those in southern Japan and the eastern Tsushima Strait. Sometimes this squid is eaten alive (lively squid) in northwestern Kyushu, Japan. They are caught in purse seines, which capture the squids in large capacity. Other forms of capture include jigs, set nets, and bottom trawls. The current conservation status of the Swordtip Squid is listed as Data Deficient according to IUCN Red List. There is limited information about their total population number, so there are not many conservation efforts currently.